RAAF takes delivery of final C17 transport

The RAAF has taken delivery of the last of six Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft.

In a ceremony at the Boeing C-17 production line at Long Beach, California, the $280 million aircraft was formally handed over to RAAF chief Air Marshal Geoff Brown.

He said the C-17 was a capability that had improved Australia's reach locally, regionally and globally.

"Individually, the aircraft is impressive but as a fleet, it has fundamentally enhanced our strategic airlift agility to meet the Australian Defence Force (ADF) air mobility requirements," he said in a statement.

In 2006, Australia announced it would buy four C-17s to provide long-range heavy-lift transport for the ADF.

The aircraft proved so useful that it was decided to buy two more. The contract for the final aircraft was signed in June with the plane delivered five months later.

Boeing C-17 program manager Bob Ciesla said the C-17 symbolised the strong and enduring partnership between Boeing and Australia.